Harlem Based City College Appoints New President

The City University of New York Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a new president of The City College of New York, which had been without a permanent leader since former president Lisa S. Coico resigned amid scandal in 2016.

Dr. Vincent Boudreau, who has served as the City College’s interim president, was appointed president of the school Monday, CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken announced. Boudreau previously served as the dean of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadershipat the school since 2013 and director of the Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service between 2002 and 2013.

“In some ways, the idea of a truly inclusive public education system as an engine of our democracy began on this campus 170 years ago,” Boudreau said in a statement. “Shepherding that legacy into the future brings significant challenges that will require the mobilization of the talents and affections of people on our campus and in our communities.”

The appointment was expected to be made in October, but was stalled by a group of Harlem’s prominent political figures, the New York Times reported. The group — which included former Gov. David Paterson and longtime Congressman Charles Rangel — said that their “input, insight and influence” into the decision was not consulted.

The school’s former president Lisa S. Coico resigned in October 2016 and is currently under federal investigation for alleged misuse of City College’s finances, the New York Times reported. A nonprofit group affiliated with City College had paid for some of Coico’s personal expenses and was reimbursed using money from the school’s research fund, the Times reported.

City College’s campus is located along Amsterdam Avenue between West 135th and 140th streets in Harlem.

Lead image by City College